DANE EVANS
“ I want people that come across our band to understand what is happening on their behalf to animals, the gravity and scale of the violence and how they’d feel if it was them or their loved ones in that situation.”
Since emerging with their debut album “Global Warning” in 2019, To The Grave have evolved from underground FAVORITES into one of Australia's most successful extreme music exports. Across multiple releases and relentless touring throughout Australia, Europe, the UK and North America, the band have built a global audience while establishing themselves as one of the most uncompromising forces in modern deathcore.
What was the moment or experience that first pushed you toward veganism?
I’d say it had to be the first time I saw a truck full of animals headed to a slaughterhouse that rolled over on the news, that was the first time I started to take the vegan influences in my life seriously. After that it was just one thing after another that gave me the push to look into it myself, once I did that it was a light switch moment and never looked back.
Did your path into veganism come before or after getting into hardcore / straight edge?
After, I’ve been into hardcore since my first year of high school, I went vegan 10 years after that (and 9 years ago now).
Was there a specific band, record, or scene influence that opened that door for you?
I was (and still am) in a band (scourge/depressant) with a bunch of vegans that were a big influence on me and held me accountable for the blood on my hands and I’ll forever be thankful for that. Outside of that, I Killed The Prom Queen, Rise Against, Architects and Cattle Decapitation all planted seeds with me.
How did your friends, family, or local scene react when you made that shift?
50/50, there’s a significant amount of people in my life that spat the dummy or couldn’t comprehend it. I was pretty quick to gravitate towards friend circles that shared my values though.
Was it an immediate commitment, or something you grew into over time?
Immediate, once I was aware of what I was responsible for I couldn’t spend another second being a part of that.
For you, how connected are veganism and straight edge—are they inseparable or distinct choices?
Distinct choices.
Do you see veganism as an extension of straight edge ethics, or its own independent stance?
Its own independent stance.
How do you respond to people in the scene who embrace one but not the other?
No differently to how I treat everyone else that chooses to not be vegan. I don’t care to tell anyone what they should do with their own bodies, I’ll always step in and speak up when it involves taking the rights away from another.
What role did the hardcore/metal scene play in shaping your beliefs?
It was band members and friends in the scene that helped me shed my ignorance to certain things, followed by some outside influence that eliminated the rest of my excuses.
Do you feel like the scene today is more or less aligned with vegan values than when you started?
I couldn’t tell you, if it has shifted more then I’d argue it’s not enough.
What kind of impact do you hope your band has on listeners?
I want people that come across our band to understand what is happening on their behalf to animals, the gravity and scale of the violence and how they’d feel if it was them or their loved ones in that situation.
Have you ever heard from someone who changed because of your music?
More than we could count honestly.
Do you think music can genuinely shift people’s behavior, or just reinforce existing beliefs?
Genuinely shift behaviour, for better or for worse.
Do you see veganism as inherently political?
Nope, I view animal rights as the logical extension of basic human rights. Veganism is simply the golden rule in action, do unto others as you would have done unto yourself.
How do you balance music with direct action or activism, if at all?
Incorporating and advocating for direct action into our music as much as possible. I’ll do and say as much as I can providing it doesn’t impact our main vehicle for activism (the band).
What issues within the broader movement do you think aren’t being talked about enough?
I’d argue it’s not being discussed enough in general but if I had to pick it would probably be fishing, hunting, the pet trade and dairy/eggs.
Looking back, would you approach your message differently?
Yeah, in our earlier days I feel we definitely neutered our frustration for varied reasons and if I could go back I’d be as blunt as I felt necessary.
What keeps you committed when it gets difficult or isolating?
Perspective, it is ALWAYS more difficult for the animals.
Where do you see the vegan / straight edge movement going in the next decade?
I’m unsure, I’ve lost most of my faith in humanity to move towards positive change and at this rate I’d sooner bet on a zoonotic virus wiping us out.
What would you say to someone on the fence about embracing these ideas?
Get off the fucking fence and go vegan.
Final Thoughts:
First band that made you think differently:
Rise Against.
A lyric you’ve written (or heard) that still hits hardest:
“They never stood a chance against this sick romance we have with every living being, we have with every fucking thing”
Cattle Decapitation - “Pacific Grim”
Or
“We found mothers clinging to their children, dead in the cages they tried to chew through. So I guess when they said that they gave a fuck, they didn’t mean you”
To The Grave - “Kill Shelter”. I cooked with that one
One misconception about vegan straight edge:
That they’re intrinsically linked. If I’m speaking purely on veganism, it’s the idea that veganism is a diet and not a moral obligation.
One non-negotiable value:
Abandon welfarism and advocate for immediate abolition/liberation.
One thing the scene needs to do better:
Be a safe place for women.
Check out To The Grave’s New Single “EYESTALK ABLATIONS” ALONG WITH SEEING THEM out ON TOUR Now!
Tickets and merch can be found below.